Lleyton Hewitt admits he is “one injury away” from retirement and cannot make plans to return to Wimbledon next year.

The 33-year-old Australian set a new open-era record for five-set matches in grand slam tournaments, bowing out fighting to Jerzy Janowicz in the third round on Friday.

The 2002 Wimbledon champion registered his 42nd five-set clash in major tournament action, to move past Andre Agassi’s record.

The two-time grand slam winner conceded frustrations at dropping out just when he is feeling injury-free once again.

“I don’t know if I’ll be back, you never know,” said Hewitt, after his 7-5 6-4 6-7 4-6 6-3 second round loss to the 15th seed.

“I’m one injury away from hanging up the racket at any time.

“The body felt fine out there, which is obviously a positive thing. But, you know, still frustrating to walk off the court feeling fine, feeling like you could have bounced back and played another five-setter tomorrow.

“But you don’t get that opportunity. With all that I’ve been through, the surgeries, it’s going okay at the minute.”

Radical foot surgery in 2012 saved Hewitt from premature retirement, while regular hip trouble has plagued the former world number one.

Hewitt admitted that should he retire at the end of the current campaign, he will do so proud of his ability to fight back from a number of career-threatening problems.

“I’d much rather win in three or four sets than go the distance all the time,” he said.

“I still enjoy it, I still enjoy doing the hard work... to play five-setters against the best guys in the world.”